High flow manifold

ABSTRACT

Implementations described herein include a system for guiding medical waste fluid into a medical waste collection canister. The system includes a manifold and a filter. The manifold includes a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface in a first direction. The top surface and the sidewall define an interior chamber of the manifold. The top surface includes an inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein. The inlet port connects to a source of medical waste fluid and the vacuum port connects to a vacuum source. The manifold can be formed from a first polymer. A filter is positioned within the interior chamber of the manifold and immediately upstream of the vacuum port so as to filter air flowing into the vacuum port. The filter extends away from the top surface of the manifold in the first direction and the filter is formed from a second polymer. The filter is fused to a surface of the interior chamber of the manifold or to a peripheral surface of the vacuum port so as to form a fused interface, and not merely a press fit connection.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to high flow manifolds for collecting anddisposing of medical waste.

BACKGROUND

Various forms of liquid medical wastes are commonly produced in surgeryand other medical procedures. Such wastes may include blood and otherbody fluids of patients. The wastes may also include solid particlessuch as fragments of bone or cartilage. Some procedures produce a highvolume of such waste from a single patient. For example, saline solutionis used to irrigate the knee area during arthroscopic procedures. Asanother example, saline solution is used to flush the bladder, urethraand/or prostate in some urology procedures. Such procedures may produceas much as 30,000 cc of liquid medical waste.

Liquid medical waste generates significant disposal problems due to itspossible contamination with various infectious diseases, including AIDS,hepatitis and MRSA. As a result, rules and regulations for the handlingand disposal of liquid medical waste have been imposed by variousgovernmental and regulatory agencies. For example, new regulationsrequire the use of engineering controls to protect employees fromexposure. In addition, hospitals and other health care facilities havebeen searching for methods and systems that reduce hospital personnel'sexposure to the fluids during collection, handling and disposal.Procedures that produce large volumes of liquid medical waste amplifythese issues and concerns.

Various systems and methods have been used for collecting, handling anddisposing of fluids from procedures that produce large volumes of liquidmedical waste. The collection vessels vary from simple buckets toautomated, electronically controlled processing equipment.

Systems comprising a vacuum source and suction canisters are commonlyused to aspirate fluids from patients during surgical procedures. Suchsuction canisters can range in volume from around 1200 cc to around 3000cc. A suction canister can feature a removable lid or manifold with avacuum port and a patient or suction port. During a surgical procedure,the vacuum port is connected by flexible tubing to a hospital vacuumsource while the suction port is connected by a second flexible tube tothe region of the patient from which the fluid wastes are collected. Theremovable manifold can have a filter associated with the vacuum portthat can increase the safety of systems employing suction canisters byshutting off a canister's vacuum supply when wet and preventingcontamination of the vacuum supply system. Conversely, such filters alsolimit flow performance of the manifold.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aproblem to be solved can include the need for single-use manifolds formedical waste fluid collection systems that have more secure filters andthat increase flow performance without additional cost. The presentsubject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as byproviding a system for guiding medical waste fluid into a medical wastecollection canister, the system comprising a manifold and a filter. Themanifold can comprise a top surface and a sidewall extending from thetop surface in a first direction. The top surface and the sidewall candefine an interior chamber of the manifold. The top surface can comprisean inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein. The inlet port can beconfigured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid. The vacuumport can be configured to connect to a vacuum source. The manifold canbe formed from a first polymer. The filter can be positioned within theinterior chamber of the manifold and immediately upstream of the vacuumport so as to filter air flowing into the vacuum port. The filter canextend away from the top surface of the manifold in the first directionand the filter can be formed from a second polymer. The filter can befused to a surface of the interior chamber of the manifold or aperipheral surface of the vacuum port so as to form a fused interface,and not merely a press fit connection. In other words, the filter issecurely held in place within the chamber by fusion of the materialsrather than pressure/force between the components.

The present description also provides for a device that can be formed bya process comprising the steps of providing or obtaining a manifold, themanifold comprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the topsurface in a first direction, the manifold defining a manifold chamber,the top surface comprising an inlet port and a vacuum port disposedtherein, the inlet port configured to connect to a source of medicalwaste fluid, the vacuum port configured to connect to a vacuum source,the manifold formed from a first polymer; providing or obtaining afilter formed from a second polymer, wherein the filter and acircumferential surface of the vacuum port are rotationally symmetricwith respect to each other; and rotating the one of the filter and themanifold relative to the other to fuse the filter and the manifold alonga fused interface.

The present description also provides for a method that can comprise thesteps of removing a first filter from a manifold, the manifoldcomprising: a manifold housing comprising a top surface and a sidewallextending from the top surface in a first direction, the manifoldhousing defining a manifold chamber, the top surface comprising an inletport and a vacuum port disposed therein, the inlet port configured toconnect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuum port configuredto connect to a vacuum source, the manifold housing formed from a firstpolymer; the first filter coupled to and in communication with thevacuum port and extending away from the top surface in the firstdirection; washing the manifold; disinfecting the manifold; and couplinga second filter to the vacuum port to form a recycled manifold.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 provides a top perspective view of an exemplary system accordingto the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides an exploded view of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a side cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a bottom perspective view of the system of FIG. 1without a filter installed.

FIG. 5 provides a bottom perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 with afilter installed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for reprocessingor recycling a manifold according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing one example of spin welding of a firstpart and a second part according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing one example of spin welding a filter and amanifold according to the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present description relates to a system 100 for guiding medicalwaste fluid into a medical waste collection canister. As illustrated inthe various views of FIGS. 1-5, the system 100 can comprise a manifold102 and a filter 114. The manifold 102 can comprise a top surface 104and a sidewall 106 extending from the top surface 104 in a firstdirection. The top surface 104 and the sidewall 106 can define aninterior chamber 108 of the manifold 102. The top surface 104 cancomprise an inlet port 110 and a vacuum port 112 disposed therein. Theinlet port 110 can be configured to connect to a source of medical wastefluid. The inlet port 110 can comprise a plurality of inlet ports. Thevacuum port 112 can be configured to connect to a vacuum source. Themanifold 102 can be formed from a first polymer. At least one, andoptionally each, of the inlet port 110 and vacuum port 112 can comprisea cap 122 removably securable thereto. The cap 122 can be coupled to themanifold 102 via a tether 124. The system 100 can further comprise amanifold cap 126 that is removably coupleable to the free end of thesidewall 106. The system 100 is adapted to be secured to the medicalwaste collection canister, and the canister is coupled to a fluid wastecollection cart/station.

A filter 114 can be positioned within the interior chamber 108 of themanifold 102 and immediately upstream of the vacuum port 112 so as tofilter air flowing into the vacuum port 112. The filter 114 can extendaway from the top surface 104 of the manifold 102 in the first directionand the filter 114 can be formed from a second polymer. The filter canbe a hydroscopic filter or the like. The inlet port 110 can extend fromthe top surface 104 of the manifold 102 in the first direction adistance greater than the filter 114 extends from the top surface 104 inthe same direction. The manifold 102 can lack any housing extending awayfrom the top surface 104 of the manifold 102 adapted to house anyportion of the filter. The manifold 120 can lack any features tomechanically couple the filter 114 thereto such as, for example andwithout limitation, rings, ribs, threads, tabs, bayonet mounts, and thelike. As such, the filter 114 is entirely exposed to the interiorchamber 108 except at the fused interface 116 and does not move withrespect to the manifold 102 when the manifold is attached to thecanister.

In one example, the first polymer or the second polymer can comprise athermoplastic polymer. In a further aspect, the first polymer or thesecond polymer can comprise polyethylene. In an additional oralternative aspect, the first polymer can comprise high densitypolyethylene and the second polymer can comprise super high densitypolyethylene. High density polyethylene and super high densitypolyethylene can be substantially similar materials.

The filter 114 can be fused to a surface of the interior chamber 108 ofthe manifold 102 or a peripheral surface of the vacuum port 112 so as toform a fused interface 116, and not merely a press fit connection. Thefused interface 116 can be one or more of circular, radially symmetric,or irregular. The fused interface 116 can comprise a chemical bondbetween the first polymer and the second polymer. Additionally oralternatively, the fused interface 116 can be formed by fusion and, moreparticularly, heating at least a portion of the filter 114, at least aportion of the manifold 102, or a portion of each of the filter 114 andmanifold 102 to a viscous state and physically causing the polymerchains to interdiffuse, such diffusion optionally being facilitated viathe application of pressure. The fused interface 116 can be formed byprocesses such as, but not limited to, direct heating, induced heating,and frictional heating. Direct heating can include heated tool welding,hot plate welding, resistance welding, infrared welding, laser welding,and the like. Induced heating can include induction welding,radiofrequency welding, microwave welding, and the like. Frictionalheating can include ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, spin welding,and the like. In one example, the fused interface can be a hermeticinterface.

In one example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fused interface can beformed by spin welding the filter to the manifold. Spin welding cancomprise rapid rotation of a first part 702 comprising a first polymerand coupled to a spinning tool 704 with respect to a second part 706comprising a second polymer and coupled to a stationary fixture 708 toform a fused interface 116 and join the first part 702 and the secondpart 706. In one example, spin welding comprises a process that fuses acylindrical thermoplastic filter (e.g., filter 814) to a manifold (e.g.,manifold 802) by spinning the circular filter rapidly against themanifold, or vice versa. The inventors have successfully fused a filter814 to a manifold 802 by spin welding the filter material and themanifold material and achieved a strong bond or connection between thefilter 814 and the manifold 802 that was stronger than a press-fit orfriction-fit connection. Removing the filter 814 required the fusedconnection or interface to be broken in order to be removed. Also, thefilter 814 was not damaged by the welding process. (FIG. 8 does not showthe stationary fixture to secure the manifold during the spin weldingoperation.)

In an additional or alternative example, the manifold 102 and the filter114 can be monolithic such that the manifold 102 and the filter 114 arefused to form a unitary structure that comprises substantially the samecomposition throughout. Here, the fused interface 116 would not besubstantially different than any other portion of the filter 114 or themanifold 102 as the manifold 102 and the filter 114 are formed frommaterials that are at least substantially similar.

The manifold 102 can further comprise a fastener for coupling themanifold to a canister or the like. To this end, the manifold cancomprise a first tab 118 and, optionally, a second tab 120 extendingradially outward from a circumferential edge of the manifold. The firsttab 118 and the second tab 120 can be spaced apart along thecircumferential edge of the manifold. The first tab 118 and the secondtab 120 can comprise a bayonet mount.

The present description also provides for a device that can be formed bya process comprising the steps of providing or obtaining a manifold 102,the manifold 102 comprising a top surface 104 and a sidewall 106extending from the top surface 104 in a first direction, the manifold102 defining a manifold chamber 108, the top surface 104 comprising aninlet port 110 and a vacuum port 112 disposed therein, the inlet port110 configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuumport 112 configured to connect to a vacuum source, the manifold 102formed from a first polymer; providing or obtaining a filter 114 formedfrom a second polymer, wherein the filter 114 and a circumferentialsurface of the vacuum port 112 are rotationally symmetric with respectto each other; and rotating the one of the filter 114 and the manifold102 relative to the other to fuse the filter 114 and the manifold 102along a fused interface 116.

The present description also provides for a method that can comprise thesteps of removing a first filter from a manifold, the manifold 102comprising: a manifold housing comprising a top surface 104 and asidewall 106 extending from the top surface 104 in a first direction,the manifold housing defining a manifold chamber 108, the top surface104 comprising an inlet port 110 and a vacuum port 112 disposed therein,the inlet port 110 configured to connect to a source of medical wastefluid, the vacuum port 112 configured to connect to a vacuum source, themanifold housing formed from a first polymer; the first filter 114coupled to and in communication with the vacuum port 112 and extendingaway from the top surface 104 in the first direction; washing themanifold 102; disinfecting the manifold 102; and coupling a secondfilter 114′ to the vacuum port to form a recycled manifold 102′. Thefirst filter 114 can be fused to the manifold 102 and removing the firstfilter 114 from the manifold 102 can comprise severing the first filter114 from the manifold 102 or otherwise breaking a fused interface 116between the first filter 114 and the manifold 102.

Various Notes & Examples

Example 1 is a system for guiding medical waste fluid into a medicalwaste collection canister, the system comprising a manifold and afilter. The manifold can comprise a top surface and a sidewall extendingfrom the top surface in a first direction. The top surface and thesidewall can define an interior chamber of the manifold. The top surfacecan comprise an inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein. The inletport can be configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid.The vacuum port can be configured to connect to a vacuum source. Themanifold can be formed from a first polymer. The filter can bepositioned within the interior chamber of the manifold and immediatelyupstream of the vacuum port so as to filter air flowing into the vacuumport. The filter can extend away from the top surface of the manifold inthe first direction and the filter can be formed from a second polymer.The filter can be fused to a surface of the interior chamber of themanifold or a peripheral surface of the vacuum port so as to form afused interface, and not merely a press fit connection.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally includewherein the fused interface comprises a chemical bond between the firstpolymer and the second polymer.

In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2 canoptionally include wherein the fused interface is formed by melting aportion of the filter to bond the second polymer to the manifold.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3 canoptionally include wherein the fused interface is formed by spinwelding, hot plate welding, laser welding, or radio frequency welding.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4 canoptionally include wherein the fused interface is formed by spin weldingthe filter to the manifold, spin welding comprising rapid rotation ofthe filter and the manifold with respect to each other, so as to meltand chemically bond the first polymer and the second polymer.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-5 canoptionally include wherein the inlet port extends from the top surfaceof the manifold in the first direction a distance greater than thefilter extends from the top surface of the manifold in the firstdirection.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6 canoptionally include wherein the fused interface comprises a hermeticinterface.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7 canoptionally include wherein the first polymer or the second polymer is athermoplastic polymer.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 can optionally includewherein the first polymer or the second polymer comprises polyethylene.

In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 9 can optionally includewherein the first polymer and the second polymer comprise polyethylene.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-10can optionally include wherein the filter is a hydroscopic filter.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-11can optionally include wherein the manifold and the filter aremonolithic.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-12can optionally include wherein a fused interface of the filter andperipheral surface of the vacuum port is circular.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-13can optionally include wherein the manifold further comprises a firsttab extending radially outward from a circumferential edge of themanifold.

In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 can optionally includewherein the manifold further comprises a second tab extending radiallyoutward from the circumferential edge of the manifold, wherein the firsttab and the second tab are spaced apart along the circumferential edgeof the manifold.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 can optionally includewherein the first tab and the second tab comprise a bayonet mount.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-16can optionally include wherein the inlet port further comprises aplurality of inlet ports.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-17can optionally include wherein the inlet port or the vacuum port furthercomprises a cap removably securable thereto.

In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-18can optionally include wherein the cap is coupled to the manifold via atether.

Example 20 is a device that can be formed by a process comprising thesteps of providing or obtaining a manifold, the manifold comprising atop surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface in a firstdirection, the manifold defining a manifold chamber, the top surfacecomprising an inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein, the inletport configured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, thevacuum port configured to connect to a vacuum source, the manifoldformed from a first polymer; providing or obtaining a filter formed froma second polymer, wherein the filter and a circumferential surface ofthe vacuum port are rotationally symmetric with respect to each other;and rotating the one of the filter and the manifold relative to theother to fuse the filter and the manifold along a fused interface.

In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 20 can optionally includewherein the first polymer or the second polymer is a thermoplasticpolymer.

In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 can optionally includewherein the first polymer or the second polymer comprises polyethylene.

In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 22 can optionally includewherein the first polymer and the second polymer comprise polyethylene.

In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 20-23can optionally include wherein the filter is a hydroscopic filter.

In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 20-24can optionally include wherein fusing the filter and the manifold alonga fused interface forms a monolithic structure.

In Example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 20-25can optionally include wherein a fused interface is circular.

Example 27 is a method that can comprise the steps of severing a firstfilter from a manifold or breaking a fused interface between the firstfilter and the manifold, the manifold comprising: a manifold housingcomprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surfacein a first direction, the manifold housing defining a manifold chamber,the top surface comprising an inlet port and a vacuum port disposedtherein, the inlet port configured to connect to a source of medicalwaste fluid, the vacuum port configured to connect to a vacuum source,the manifold housing formed from a first polymer; the first filtercoupled to and in communication with the vacuum port and extending awayfrom the top surface in the first direction; washing the manifold;disinfecting the manifold; and coupling a second filter to the vacuumport to form a recycled manifold.

In Example 28, the subject matter of Example 27 can optionally includewherein each of the first filter and the second filter are hydroscopic.

In Example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-28can optionally include wherein the first filter is substantially similarto the second filter.

In Example 30, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-29can optionally include wherein coupling the second filter to the vacuumport comprises mechanically fastening the second filter to a surface ofthe interior chamber of the manifold or a peripheral surface of thevacuum port.

In Example 31, the subject matter of Example 30 can optionally includewherein mechanically fastening the second filter further comprisespress-fitting the second filter.

In Example 32, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-31can optionally include wherein coupling the second filter to the vacuumport further comprises mechanically fastening, gluing, bonding, welding,or fusing the second filter to the vacuum port.

In Example 33, the subject matter of Example 32 can optionally includewherein bonding comprises adhesive bonding.

In Example 34, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 32-33can optionally include wherein welding can comprise spin welding, hotplate welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, radio frequencywelding, microwave welding, solvent welding, induction welding, andvibration welding.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can becombined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of theother examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for guiding medical waste fluid into amedical waste collection canister, the system comprising: a manifoldcomprising a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surfacein a first direction, the top surface and the sidewall defining aninterior chamber of the manifold, wherein: the top surface comprises aninlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein, the inlet port isconfigured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuumport is configured to connect to a vacuum source, and and the manifoldis formed from a first polymer; a filter positioned within the interiorchamber of the manifold and immediately upstream of the vacuum port soas to filter air flowing into the vacuum port, wherein the filterextends away from the top surface of the manifold in the firstdirection, and wherein the filter is formed from a second polymer;wherein the filter is fused to a surface of the interior chamber of themanifold or a peripheral surface of the vacuum port so as to form afused interface, and not merely a press fit connection.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the fused interface comprises a chemical bond betweenthe first polymer and the second polymer.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the fused interface is formed by melting portions of the filterand the manifold.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fused interfaceis formed by spin welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, laserwelding, or radio frequency welding.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinthe fused interface is formed by spin welding the filter to themanifold, spin welding comprising rapid rotation of the filter and themanifold with respect to each other, so as to melt and chemically bondthe first polymer and the second polymer.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the inlet port extends from the top surface of the manifold inthe first direction a distance greater than the filter extends from thetop surface of the manifold in the first direction.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the fused interface comprises a hermetic interface. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the first polymer or the second polymeris a thermoplastic polymer.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the firstpolymer or the second polymer comprises polyethylene.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the first polymer and the second polymer comprisepolyethylene.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter is ahydroscopic filter.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the manifold andthe filter are monolithic.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein a fusedinterface of the filter and peripheral surface of the vacuum port iscircular.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the manifold furthercomprises a first tab extending radially outward from a circumferentialedge of the manifold.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the manifoldfurther comprises a second tab extending radially outward from thecircumferential edge of the manifold, wherein the first tab and thesecond tab are spaced apart along the circumferential edge of themanifold.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first tab and thesecond tab comprise a bayonet mount.
 17. The system of claim 1, whereinthe inlet port further comprises a plurality of inlet ports.
 18. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the inlet port or the vacuum port furthercomprises a cap removably securable thereto.
 19. The system of claim 1,wherein the cap is coupled to the manifold via a tether.
 20. A deviceformed by a process comprising the steps of: providing or obtaining amanifold, the manifold comprising a top surface and a sidewall extendingfrom the top surface in a first direction, the manifold defining amanifold chamber, wherein: the top surface comprises an inlet port and avacuum port disposed therein, the inlet port is configured to connect toa source of medical waste fluid, the vacuum port is configured toconnect to a vacuum source, and and the manifold is formed from a firstpolymer; providing or obtaining a filter formed from a second polymer,wherein the filter and a circumferential surface of the vacuum port arerotationally symmetric with respect to each other; and rotating one ofthe filter and the manifold relative to the other to fuse the filter andthe manifold along a fused interface.
 21. The device of claim 20,wherein the first polymer or the second polymer is a thermoplasticpolymer.
 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the first polymer or thesecond polymer comprises polyethylene.
 23. The device of claim 22,wherein the first polymer and the second polymer comprise polyethylene.24. The device of claim 20, wherein the filter is a hydroscopic filter.25. The device of claim 20, wherein fusing the filter and the manifoldalong a fused interface forms a monolithic structure.
 26. The device ofclaim 20, wherein the fused interface is circular.
 27. A method,comprising: severing a first filter from a manifold or breaking a fusedinterface between the first filter and the manifold, the manifoldcomprising: a manifold housing comprising a top surface and a sidewallextending from the top surface in a first direction, the manifoldhousing defining a manifold chamber, wherein: the top surface comprisesan inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein, the inlet port isconfigured to connect to a source of medical waste fluid, the vacuumport is configured to connect to a vacuum source, and and the manifoldis formed from a first polymer; the first filter coupled to and incommunication with the vacuum port and extending away from the topsurface in the first direction prior to removal; washing the manifold;disinfecting the manifold; and coupling a second filter to the vacuumport to form a recycled manifold.
 28. The method of claim 27, whereineach of the first filter and the second filter are hydroscopic.
 29. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the first filter is substantially similar tothe second filter.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein coupling thesecond filter to the vacuum port comprises mechanically fastening thesecond filter to a surface of the interior chamber of the manifold or aperipheral surface of the vacuum port.
 31. The method of claim 30,wherein mechanically fastening the second filter further comprisespress-fitting the second filter.
 32. The method of claim 27, whereincoupling the second filter to the vacuum port further comprisesmechanically fastening, gluing, bonding, welding, or fusing the secondfilter to the vacuum port.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein bondingcomprises adhesive bonding.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein weldingcan comprise spin welding, hot plate welding, laser welding, ultrasonicwelding, radio frequency welding, microwave welding, solvent welding,induction welding, and vibration welding.